Tiger Woods confident about Open, seeks first major in 5 years

Tiger Woods spoke with media in Scotland on Tuesday and said he is feeling good about his game going into The 142nd Open Championship Thursday. Woods noted that he hasn't won a major since 2008 but says the course at Muirfield suits him.

Golfing legend Tiger Woods

Photo by Keith Allison

"I've felt very, very good going into major championships," Woods said. "I've had a pretty good year this year so far (and) won four times. Even though I haven't won a major championship in five years, I've been there in a bunch of them where I've had chances and I just need to keep putting myself there and I'll get to it."

Including the Tavistock Cup in Windermere, Fla., Woods has actually won five times this year and he tied for fourth at the 2013 Masters. His performance at the other major this season, the U.S. Open, saw him struggle with a left elbow injury and finish tied for 32nd. The elbow is healed, he says, but this will be his first tournament to test it since that disappointing finish.

He played Muirfield in Gullane, Scotland in 2002 when The Open Championship was last there and though he finished in a tie for 28th he says he likes the challenge of the course. It's the kind of course that allows golfers to use all facets of their game, Woods noted, and he looks forward to playing something beyond the "airborne game" required at most courses on the PGA.

He's won The Open Championship three times and overall is seeking his 15th major win.